By OLAJIDE IDOWU

The five branch chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Osun have appealed to Gov. Ademola Adeleke to urgently fix the delapidated court facilities in the state.

The chairmen made the demand in a letter jointly signed on Tuesday in Osogbo, addressed to the governor.

The branch chairmen are Maruf Adediran, NBA Osogbo; AbdulKareem Azeez, NBA Ikirun; Adefunso Esan, NBA Ilesa; Emmanuel Gbadegesin, NBA Iwo; and Olawoye Festus, NBA Ile-Ife.

The NBA called for a comprehensive audit of the state court infrastructure.

The association stated that several court facilities in Osun have deteriorated to an extent of threatening the security and dignity of the judicial institution.

It noted that the deplorable state of the judicial infrastructure were disrupting proceedings and imposing avoidable hardship on judicial officers, legal practitioners, litigants, witnesses and other court users.

The NBA listed the visible problems to include; decaying building, leaking roofs, damaged ceilings, inadequate seating arrangements among other infrastructural deficiencies.

“The situation has become a matter of serious concern to the legal profession and more importantly, to the administration of justice and the general public,” the association stated.

It stated that the situation demanded more than a temporary patchwork of repairs.

The association demanded a comprehensive assessment of the affected facilities with proper planning, adequate funded rehabilitation and renovation works.

The NBA urged the governor to direct relevant ministries, departments and agencies, in consultation with appropriate judicial authorities, to develop and implement a lasting solution. (NAN)